Hunting for Hidden Gold Read Online Free PDF

Burke’s general store when you phoned my sons last night?”
    â€œJust the usual crowd o’ fellers sittin’ around the stove,” Hank replied. “I had to holler on account o’ that bad connection, so they all heard every word.”
    â€œSomeone on the line might have been listening, too,” Joe remarked.
    â€œI smell somethin’ bumin’!” Hank exclaimed and bolted into the kitchen.
    â€œWe’ll have to be on guard,” said Frank. “Someone probably will be watching every move we make.”
    â€œDad,” Joe asked, “what made you so sure Big Al didn’t go to Canada?”
    â€œI was working with the police,” Mr. Hardy said, “when we caught two of the gang week before last. One of them told us Big Al was hiding out here, and meant to attend to some unfinished business. The police thought he was lying in order to sidetrack us while Al made an escape. I had a hunch it was the truth.”
    â€œWhy?” asked Frank.
    â€œBecause the man seemed scared and appeared to be hoping for a break at his trial. I started riding the hills trying to pick up Al’s trail. Yesterday I followed a rough-looking fellow on horseback. He met another man in a small clearing. I heard them talking and caught the words ‘Big Al‘ and ‘hideout.’ Just then my horse Major whinnied and the men galloped off. I gave chase, but Major stumbled and I took a spill.” The detective smiled ruefully. “Now I’m stuck here! Boys,” he added seriously, “your job is to find that hideout.”
    Frank and ,joe, greatly excited by this challenge, discussed it all during a supper of thick western steaks, beans, and biscuits.
    â€œWe’ll have to get a line on what Big Al’s unfinished business is,” Frank said, when they were seated around the fireplace later.
    â€œIn any event, it’s probably illegal,” his father rejoined.
    Presently Dodge got up. “Guess I’d better get back to the hotel.”
    â€œAre your offices in Lucky Lode?” Joe asked.
    â€œNo, in Helena. I’ve been staying in town to watch developments on the case. If there’s any way I can help you, boys,” the big man added, “just let me know.”
    After Dodge had left, Mr. Hardy remarked, “Bob strikes me as a fine man. Never mentions his early days, but I’m told he started his business on a shoestring and built it up by hard work.”
    â€œSpeakin’ o’ work, who wants to wash dishes?”
    Laughing, the boys took Hank’s hint and before long the kitchen was shipshape.
    Finally the brothers went to bed in one of two small rooms which led off the big one. Weary, the boys fell asleep immediately.
    Suddenly they awoke with a start. A rumbling noise was coming from behind the cabin, growing louder every moment. The brothers leaped from bed. At the same instant, the cabin was jarred with a deafening crash.
    Frank and Joe heard Hank yell as they rushed into the living room. “Look! Fire!” He pointed to the kitchen where a bright red glow was visible.
    The trio dashed in. By the light of the flames they could see that a huge boulder had crashed through the back wall, overturning the stove and spewing burning firewood over the floor.
    The boys raced back to their bedroom to get blankets. Spreading them over the fire, they began smothering and stamping out the flames. Mr. Hardy had hurried from his room, but the boys would not allow him to help. Meanwhile, Hank had filled a bucket at the kitchen pump and was dousing water over the hot stove. The fire sizzled angrily but gradually died out.
    â€œTarnation!” Hank exclaimed. “Nearest thing to an avalanche we’ve ever had around here.” He lighted an oil lamp, and everyone surveyed the damage.
    â€œWhat a mess!” Joe grimaced.
    The cabin owner sighed. “A whoppin’ big hole in the wall, and some burnt